Adapted by Polly Teale from the novel by Charlotte Bronte
A lonely orphan girl finds love and passion in the face of hardship, but in the attic lies a dark secret....
From the director of last year's sell-out season of LITTLE WOMEN comes yet another stunning theatrical presentation of a classic and beloved novel – JANE EYRE.
Hidden between the musty pages of Charlotte Bronte's famous novel lurks a ripping yarn just waiting to be told on stage, with Polly Teale's adaptation bringing the gothic novel to raging life. This timeless coming-of-age story of one of literature's most independent and strong-willed women was recognized as a masterpiece when it was published in 1847 and remains a startlingly modern blend of passion, romance and suspense.
Jane Eyre is obscure and plain but locked up in the attic of her imagination lives a woman so passionate, so wild, so full of longing, she must be guarded night and day for fear of the havoc she would wreak. Who is this terrifying woman who threatens to destroy Jane's orderly world: a world where Jane has for the first time fallen in love? Harvest Rain's production transforms Bronte's great novel into deeply affecting psychological drama, featuring Queensland finest acting talent and award-winning design.
SEASON - 9 - 31 May 2008 SHOW TIMES - Wed - Sat @ 7.30pm / Sat @ 2pm PREVIEWS - 7 & 8 May @ 7.30pm MATINEES - Sat 10, 17, 24 & 31 May @ 2pm VENUE - Sydney Street Theatre, New Farm
RUNNING TIME - 2 hours and 30 mins including interval
PRICES Previews tickets- all tickets $20 Early week discount (Wednesday) - all tickets $22 Adults - $35 Concessions - $30 Child (under 12) - $22 School Group Discounts - $18 for school groups of 10+ (teachers free)
Booking fees apply to all transactions except subscriptions - $1.00 per ticket for online bookings, phone sales and counter sales.
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Nigel Munro Wallis of ABC Radio says "Bronte fans in particular should take note: this is a production for you. You won’t be disappointed.
Joanna Butler brings together a wonderful cast, a mixture of well-known Harvest Rain regulars and newcomers, and works within a deceptively simple set (courtesy of the very talented Josh McIntosh) to bring this classic to life and all credit must go to her in terms of the sheer technical skill involved in bringing this play to life. The cast, under her careful direction, works very hard indeed to bring you a story which is all any Bronte-loving audience member could hope for.
Considering the financial constraints the Harvest Rain must always work under (they receive no public funding and must rely entirely on box office income) it never ceases to amaze me what this company can achieve. Hopefully [this play] will draw in a new audience for the work of this excellent independent company."
Grace Naug of Stagediary says "This production amazes in its variety. It's witty, it's dry, it's high brow, it'll have you laughing out loud and gasping in disbelief.
With exuberant and fresh performances spun into an old worldly air of rich, classical and gifted portrayals from the entire cast this play is a success. Dynamic direction ensures this show is a wonderfully entertaining way to spend an evening.
The onstage dynamic between Jane and her alter ego Bertha is brilliant; opposite in all aspects of their characters, they yet combine with a fluid and transcendent unity. Tanya Dougherty embodies Jane as a strong yet unstable, vulnerable young woman whereas Kathryn Marquet's alter ego is rampant, emotional and fantastically physical and unhinged. Edward Foy's performance is enthralling and commanding. He exudes a confidence and extremely strong presence which roots him firmly to the stage. Joanna Butler's choreography and direction are precise and dramatic, timed to perfection and working well with the script.
Eric Scott of Absolute Theatre says "In Joanna Butler’s excellent production, Edward Foy was superb as the world-weary, disillusioned Rochester. He has great acting skills and a formidable stage presence. Here is obviously a man who loves his craft and I am sure he will become a household name in the future. Tanya Dougherty was also sensational as Jane. She got right inside the skin of the Victorian heroine and somehow managed to look plain and yet reveal the inner qualities that made her beautiful at the same time. The pair together created magic on stage. Kathryn Marquet was compelling to watch as she acted out Jane’s jumble of emotions; her anger, fear, her repressed sexuality, her boredom and frustration and her love for Rochester.
Jeni Godwin gave a good account of herself too as the mean-minded Aunt Reed and the kindly Mrs Fairfax. They are two completely different characters and Jeni made the switch with excellent vocal changes and body language. Elizabeth Gibney also impressed with her character switches."
Amy O'Brien of CitySearch Brisbane says "Tanya Dougherty plays Jane with great delicacy and - helped by Kathryn Marquet in the red room - ably portrays the underlying tension that Jane has with her true self. Mr Rochester is played by the very masculine Edward Foy who, dare I say, is a little Russell Crowe-like."
Elizabeth Best of Briztix.com says "This production does not disappoint. Director Joanna Butler has managed to draw outstanding performances from her cast. Edward Foy was perfect as the outwardly brooding but devilishly handsome Rochester; Tanya Dougherty was the very picture of severity and plainness, with a steely independence evident throughout; and Kathryn Marquet delivered a superb performance as the suitably mad Bertha, especially in a role that saw her on stage the whole time with fewer than ten lines. As always I have to commend Josh McIntosh on an impressive set design – the attic was everything a claustrophobic, eerie prison should be, complete with red rusty walls and panels that made an impressively loud sound as Bertha threw herself on them. Butler has [also] added many beautiful nuances that enhance the audience experience."
Amy Hyslop of Australian Stage Online says "If you’re interested in seeing a well staged, well acted and fresh version of this timeless classic then you shouldn’t miss Harvest Rain’s JANE EYRE...Joanna Butler’s firm direction keeps the pace brisk. The convolutions of the plot are confidently handled and Butler evidently has a feel for Brontë’s quick, sometimes spiky use of language...As Rochester’s mad wife Kathryn Marquet brings an impressive physicality to a difficult role...Tanya Doughterty is excellent as Jane. The tale has been adapted so many times it can’t be easy to find something unique to bring to the role, but Doughterty imbues her Jane with a refreshingly dry wit and earthy passion. As Rochester, a romantic figure to rival Darcy and Heathcliff, Edward Foy is equally good. He is everything a Jane Eyre tragic could want - eloquent, commanding and passionate.
The production design by Josh McIntosh was also impressive. McIntosh has stripped away the layers of Victorian stuffiness to create a spare and haunting series of backdrops which hint at the gothic themes of the novel. I loved the way the “red room” also doubles as the attic at Thornfield Hall."
DIRECTOR Joanna Butler
DESIGNER Josh McIntosh
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Naomi Price
FEATURING Julie-Anna Evans Edward Foy Elizabeth Gibney Jeni Godwin Cameron Hurry Kathryn Marquet Kylie Morris Leigh Walker and Tanya Dougherty as Jane Eyre
